Section 1 Summary

"A White Heron," written by Sarah Orne Jewett is a short story is about love, companionship, and choice, first published in 1886. The story takes place in the woods during a summer evening in June as a young girl is walking her cow home through the dark woods. The girl, Sylvia, performs this task with regularity because the cow often hides away. The cow even holds itself still so that it does not disturb the bell around its neck. The child puts up with the cow's behavior because it provides good and plentiful milk. Sylvia does not have anything better to do with her time than watching over Mistress Moolly, the cow.

Sylvia wonders if her grandmother, Mrs. Tilley, will be upset that she is late coming home with Mrs. Moolly. Mrs. Tilley had chosen Sylvia the previous year from the large brood of...